On Sunday, October 19, comet Siding Spring flew past Mars at a dangerously close distance of only 140 thousand km For celestial body see several devices, even the Mars Rovers Curiosity and Opportunity. By the way, from the moon to the Earth is 384 400 thousand km

Scientists believe that the old comet came from the Oort Cloud is a spherical region at the periphery of the Solar system, serving as a source of long-period comets. With all of this, experts report that Siding Spring will be the first came out heavenly body that professionals will be able to analyze with the help of satellites.

Researchers aerospace control dubbed the convergence of this comet and the red planet "cosmic gift." Employees will be provided an unprecedented opportunity to assemble information about the comet and its effect on the atmosphere of Mars", - noted in the outer office.

NASA wants to get as much information as possible about the comet Siding Spring. "To achieve the desired result will be applied all available in our resolution of scientific instruments," said researchers. Agree to their statement, the comet will watch multiple devices around the orbit of Mars, ground and space telescopes, including Hubble, reports TASS.

Interest for research are the size and composition of the comet's gas and dust shell and tail. Taking into account the opinion of experts from NASA, the new data will enhance understanding of the origin and evolution of the Solar system formed 4.6 billion years ago.

Comet Siding Spring opened astrologer Robert macnet in early January 2013, naming it in honor of the Observatory in Australia. After the discovery of the newest celestial body scientists have even predicted that the comet will collide with Mars. Later refined calculations showed that the comet still will not cut into the surface of the red planet and Mars will avoid the Apocalypse.
sections: Society, World News